NBA

Nuggets extend streak to 9 in row

— Denver Coach George Karl thinks it’s about time people started taking notice of his team.

Given the fact the Nuggets have the NBA’s longest active winning streak, Karl has reason to feel that way.

Danilo Gallinari scored 19 points, Kenneth Faried added 17 and Denver won their ninth consecutive game with a 111-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

Although the Nuggets have the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, Karl is quick to point out that no Denver player was selected for next Sunday’s All-Star Game.

“We’re going to try and shock the world and become the first team to win a championship without an All-Star,” he said.

The Nuggets, who have won 15 of 17, are on their longest winning streak since posting 10 consecutive victories from March 30-April 15, 2005. San Antonio had an 11-game streak snapped Friday night.

Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with 26 points, but was plagued by foul trouble. The All-Star guard picked up his fourth foul with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter and went to the bench with the Nuggets leading 72-61. Irving returned to start the fourth quarter with Denver ahead 84-73. He scored 12 points in the period, but Cleveland’s rally fell short.

Irving was down on the court briefly after taking a knee to the thigh in the fourth quarter, but said following the game he was OK.

The loss ended Cleveland’s three-game winning streak that matched a season high.The Cavaliers haven’t won four games in a row since March 17-24, 2010, which was LeBron James’ final season with the franchise.

“We ran into a team playing very good basketball,” Cleveland Coach Byron Scott said. “I’m not disappointed in our effort. Tonight, they were a better team.”

Denver, which began a four-game road trip, is scheduled to play in Boston today. The Nuggets planned to fly into Boston following Saturday’s game. The team reserved hotel rooms in Cleveland in case their plans were changed thanks to the massive snowstorm that hit the Northeast this weekend.

Alonzo Gee scored 20 points for Cleveland with 16 coming in the first quarter.

The Nuggets built a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers cut the gap to 105-99 with 1:40 remaining, but Gallinari’s two free throws and Faried’s dunk put the game away.

The Nuggets, who were off Friday while the Cavaliers beat Orlando at home, looked like the fresher team. Denver outscored Cleveland 19-5 in fast-break points. The Nuggets also had 62 points in the lane compared to 32 for the Cavaliers.

“The starters and the bench were lacking a bit of energy,” Irving said. “We were a step behind and they outplayed us.”

The game featured physical play by both teams, particularly in the second half. Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller was given a technical foul in the third quarter for shoving Nuggets center JaVale McGee while Faried and Cleveland forward Tristan Thompson got tangled up on a couple of occasions.

“It was my kind of game tonight,” Faried said.

Sports, Pages 25 on 02/10/2013

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